22 Mr. Monracu’s Remarks on 
As there is a little variation in the plumage of my specimen of 
Ardea nigra from what has generally been described, and as the 
plumage when first captured indicated immaturity, being very 
different from what has been since assumed, I beg leave to sub- 
join a short description of three states of plumage. 
The head and upper part of the neck speckled with pale brown 
of different shades, having a slight tinge of rufous, becoming 
darker on the lower part of the neck, the fcathers being dusky in 
the middle: the back, scapulars, and coverts of the wings dusky- 
black, slightly margined with brown: quills and tail dusky-black, 
the latter glossed with green: the feathers on the lower part of 
the neck before pretty long and loose, hanging over the breast : 
from thence to the tail dingy-white. On the.back were two or 
three feathers, apparently-new; that-were of a dark glossy green, 
indicating a change of plumage. "This description was taken in 
June 1814, soon after the bird was captured. The bird conti- 
nued very gradually to moult throughout the summer and win- 
ter, becoming much darker on the head and neck, and much 
greener on the back; and by the beginning of February 1815 
the upper part of the head and back of the neck became dusky- 
black, glossed with green; the lower neck before dusk y-black, 
and the whole upper part of the body, including wing-coverts and 
scapulars, dark shining green, similar in colour to that variety of 
the Glossy Ibis known under the title of Tantalus viridis*. The 
under parts of the plumage continued as at first. The bill, which 
is full seven inches in length, has the upper mandible a trifle the 
longest, and deficcts a little at the point: the colour is dusky-red, 
brighter at the base, and orange at the tip: irides light hazel: 
the lore and orbits bare of feathers, and of a dull red: the legs 
= Pennant says blue. Arct, Zool. 
t Latham says greenish-grey, with a whitish tip, 
s and 
